Using Spoon Theory to Explain Chronic Illness | Infographic

Using Spoon Theory to Explain Chronic Illness | Infographic

Using Spoon Theory to Explain Chronic Illness | Infographic – Some people might be surprised, if not brutally cynical, when they hear of someone talking about how strenuous it is just to take a shower or get dressed. On the face of it, this might sound like the whining of a lazy serial complainer, but for many people around the world, it is a genuine difficulty and one that has been forced upon them due to the presence of a chronic illness.

This infographic from Burning Nights explains about The Spoon Theory, a metaphorical explainer of life with chronic illness from a woman living with lupus. One day while going for lunch, a friend asked her what it is like to live with a chronic illness, at which point she took 12 spoons from nearby tables and explained that each of those represents her energy levels during a day. Even seemingly routine tasks like showering or making breakfast would come at the expense of a spoon, highlighting starkly just how tough it is for chronic illness sufferers to live what many would construe a typical day.

Chronic illness is a long-term blight on a person’s life, but conditions like lupus or arthritis can be managed so that the pain they cause is lessened. Food preparation can use multiple spoons in a day, so it might be a good idea to prepare a batch cook on a day off from work or college so that, on busier days, at least you’ll have a ready-made dinner. Also, online shopping can be a real asset for people with chronic illnesses. The small delivery charges payable on essential items are well worth it if it saves the hassle of traveling to a shopping mall.

You can find out more about The Spoon Theory and how to manage chronic illness in the infographic below.